California State Senate District 26 election winner
1dSara Hernandez is now at 86% and leads by 40.0 points in California State Senate District 26.
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Current roleAttorney (housing, land use, environmental)
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderFemale
LocationCalifornia
BackgroundAttorney (housing, land use, environmental)
EducationDuke University — B.A., Public Policy
Notable personal detailsSara Hernandez is a Los Angeles Community College District trustee, elected in 2022, and a candidate for California State Senate District 26 in 2026. She has worked as an LAUSD middle school teacher and later as a housing, land use, and environmental attorney, and has taught constitutional law at Los Angeles Valley College. She founded the nonprofit Helping Young People Excel (HYPE) and has served in local government roles in Los Angeles City Hall.
Supports targeted public investments and tax policy to keep jobs and industry in California, including expanding and protecting film and TV tax credits, creating new refundable credits for commercial/creator productions, requiring large streaming platforms to reinvest revenues in California productions (or pay an equivalent), and advancing universal childcare and worker-centered economic measures.
Supports expanding access to reproductive and gender-affirming care, increasing funding for reproductive health providers, expanding access to mental health and addiction treatment, and ensuring health services are available across the district. Emphasizes strengthening care systems and funding community-based providers rather than advocating for single-payer.
Supports expanded protections for immigrants including a pathway to citizenship, protections for students and families from immigration enforcement, limits on abusive detention practices, and requirements that ICE officers clearly identify themselves during enforcement actions.
Supports expanding access to abortion care and birth control across California and protecting patients and providers from out-of-state restrictions and attacks. Advocates funding reproductive health providers and ensuring services are available in every ZIP code.
Supports climate justice and local sustainability measures, emphasizing electrification and zero-net-energy buildings and policies that expand clean energy and environmental stewardship while advancing housing and transit goals. Positions reflect moderate-to-strong support for state climate goals and clean-energy investments rather than opposition to transitional fossil-fuel use.
Supports stronger gun safety laws, increased enforcement, and focused violence-prevention investments; emphasizes removing untraceable "ghost guns" from streets. Prioritizes protections for children and neighborhoods while pursuing enforcement and prevention strategies.
Sara Hernandez is now at 86% and leads by 40.0 points in California State Senate District 26.
Endorsers of Sara Hernandez for California State Senate District 26 election winner
Public figure
Future Urbanist Club endorsed Sara Hernandez for California State Senate District 26.
Public endorsement
California YIMBY endorsed Sara Hernandez for California State Senate District 26.
Public figure
Miracle Mile Democratic Club endorsed Sara Hernandez for California State Senate District 26.
Public endorsement
Americans for Democratic Action Southern California endorsed Sara Hernandez for State Senate.
Public endorsement
Center for New Liberalism & LA New Liberals endorsed Sara Hernandez for California State Senate District 26.
Public endorsement
Consumer Attorneys of California endorsed Sara Hernandez for California State Senate District 26.
Public figure
Abundant Housing Los Angeles endorsed Sara Hernandez for State Senate.
Political organization
Coalition PAC endorsed Sara Hernandez for California State Senate District 26.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.